OGI Investment will Fund Proteomic and Transcriptomic Analyses to Further Understand Stem Cells

The Ontario Genomics Institute (OGI), through its Pre-Commercialization Business Development Fund (PBDF), has invested in Toronto-based Tissue Regeneration Therapeutics (TRT), a company that aims to use umbilical mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat a variety of serious medical conditions.

MSCs are cells that can differentiate into musculoco-skeletal tissues such as bone, cartilage and muscle. Their ability to generate replacement tissues and affect cellular processes such as inflammation makes them an exciting potential therapy for a variety of conditions. Unlike other cells, MSCs can be used without the need for tissue matching and can be accumulated in large numbers. TRT has developed new methods to extract MSCs from umbilical cords, eliminating many of the challenges related to MSC harvesting from other tissue sources.

“Stem cell research is a promising area of biomedical research and it could have significant impact for people suffering from many conditions,” said Mark Poznansky, President and CEO, OGI. “TRT is an excellent example of an Ontario company developing innovative therapies and translating research into potential clinical applications.”

TRT is aiming to launch clinical trials to test these cells within the next two years. The PBDF funding from OGI will fund proteomic and transcriptomic analyses to further understand TRT’s stem cells. These studies will provide valuable information needed for regulatory approval to conduct human clinical trials and further differentiate their product from those of competitors.

“We believe that these stem cells represent a unique and potent means of treating multiple debilitating diseases,” said John Davies, CEO of TRT. “The OGI funding will enable us to demonstrate the utility of our cells for clinical applications using cutting edge technologies.”

Scientists have discovered the signals that determine the fate of immature cells in the pancreas. The research shows that they are very mobile and that their destiny is strongly influenced by their immediate environment.